After Rebirth: Uncovering My Stepmother's Hidden Affair

In my last life, I only found out after dying that Mom's illness wasn't deadly on its own. It was Madison who messed with her meds, making her death look sudden. Relatives wanted an autopsy, but Dad said no, blinded by emotion.

This time, I'd keep a close eye on Madison. I ordered a bunch of hidden cameras to install in all the blind spots, ready to catch her in the act if she tried anything shady.

After getting everything sorted out, I headed back to the hospital room. Mom had just come back from surgery on her hind legs, but Dad was nowhere in sight. Seeing Mom again after all the chaos, a wave of warmth flooded my heart. Tears pricked at my eyes and my nose felt tingly.

I took Mom's hand, feeling the chill of her fingertips against mine. Her voice, soft and reassuring, reached my ears. "Yasmine, don't worry, I'm fine." I wanted to say a million things, but all that came out was a choked-up "mom." Tears streamed down my face. This time around, I swore I'd protect her with everything I had.

After a while, I managed to compose myself. The fight had just begun and I couldn't afford to wallow in sadness. I pulled out my phone and checked the surveillance screen, using the dim light to keep an eye on Mom until she drifted off to sleep.

But then, two figures on the screen grabbed my attention—Dad and Madison. I quickly put on my headphones, tuning in to their conversation. Madison was all over Dad, batting her eyelashes and leaning in close. "Mr. Sanchez, being a nurse is so tough. I think I'll quit once my internship's over," she said playfully. Dad was practically glowing, completely taken with her.

I gritted my teeth, watching the scene unfold. This time, Madison wouldn't get away with anything.

His voice softened as he spoke, "Then I guess this is goodbye. But hey, whether a girl works or not, it doesn't really matter. She's got a dad to look after her at home and a future husband to take care of her, right?"

"I wish I had it as good as your daughter does, with her dad being the boss," Madison replied.

"Got a boyfriend?" Dad asked.

"Not yet."

"Ever thought about just getting a temporary one until you find the right guy?"

Madison leaned in, her arms around Dad's neck, her lips dangerously close to his. "What if I'm only into something permanent? Like a marriage," she whispered.

Dad's expression shifted to serious. He pulled away, taking a step back. "I'm married. Divorce isn't on the table."

"If you were single, would you say yes to a quickie marriage with me?" Madison pressed.

Dad nodded absentmindedly.

With the sound of her colleagues calling, Madison left, a subtle smirk playing on her lips as she turned away.

In the afternoon, Madison came in with a bunch of infusion bottles, clumsily trying to hang them on the stand. I wasted no time in popping earplugs into Mom's ears. Then, with a cold glare, I marched over to Madison and gave her a solid slap across the face. The infusion bottle she was holding clattered to the ground.

"What the heck?" Madison snapped, ready to retaliate, but I grabbed her raised hand.

"Someone call security! This nurse is trying to harm someone!" I yelled towards the door.

In a flash, several nurses rushed in, pulling us apart. The head nurse arrived panting, asking, "What's going on, Miss Sanchez? Why are you so angry?"

She glanced between me and Madison, then swiftly dialed a number on her phone. "Miss Sanchez, calm down. Mr. Sanchez is having a meeting in the office. I'll get him down here right away."

Within a minute, Dad came sprinting into the room, out of breath and bewildered. "What's happening?"

I turned on the TV and connected my phone to it. On the screen, footage showed Madison sneaking into a hospital corner and injecting unknown substances into an infusion bottle before bringing it to Mom's ward.

As Madison's shady actions were exposed for everyone to see, fear flashed across her face. She started inching towards the door, hoping to escape.

Dad stormed over to Madison, his eyes blazing with anger and grabbed her wrist. "What's going on? Are you really trying to hurt her?"

Madison put on a dramatic, tearful act, shaking her head. "No, no! I just forgot to give meds back in the office. I remembered halfway down the hall..."

I clenched my fists, holding up the infusion bottle. "Are you brave enough to take a test right now?"

I reached for my phone, ready to dial the cops, but Madison stopped me, pleading for mercy. "Please, Miss Sanchez, I'll quit right away."

I shook off her hand, but Dad gave me a look, silently telling me not to call the police.

"Dad, seriously? She's putting your wife in danger! And you're protecting her? She belongs in jail, not in a hospital!" I argued.